The famous hymn *What a friend we have in Jesus was written by Joseph Scriven -read the story below Sunday 15th September, 2019 Banbridge , in County Down, celebrated the bi-centenary of Joseph’s death. The Anglican Bishop Henry Scriven, the great-great nephew attended the 6.30.pm service and a stained glass window dedicated to Joseph. Joseph was born in Banbridge, County Down, Ireland. He graduated from Trinity College Dublin in 1842. In 1843, the day before he was due to marry, his fiancee accidentally drowned. He migrated to Canada in 1845 to escape from the religious influence of the Plymouth Brethren who were estranging him from his family. He became ill and returned to Ireland to join the Royal Dragoons and spent time in the Middle East. He returned to Canada in 1947. In 1855 he received news that his mother was seriously ill. He wrote her a poem to comfort her Pray Without Ceasing. It was later set to music and renamed by Charles Crozat Converse and became the hymn What a friend we have in Jesus. Joseph had no idea when he wrote it that it would be published and become a favourite among millions of Christians. In 1857 he moved to Port Hope, Ontario, Canada. He again fell in love. He became engaged to Catherine Roche but in August 1860 she died of pneumonia. She had contracted it after a baptism in icy waters. They were due to get married in a few weeks time. Joseph devoted the rest of his life to tutoring, preaching and helping others. In 1869 he published a collection of 115 hymn sand other verses. In 1886 Joseph, aged 66, died by drowning. It is not known whether it was accidental or suicide since he was in a serious depression at the time. We left him about midnight. A friend found his room empty and with other friends went to search for him. It was not until the afternoon that his body was discovered in the water nearby, lifeless and cold in death, He was buried with Catherine in Bewdley. Ontario In many respects he led a tragic life. His many hymns will continue to be sung. What a friend we have in Jesus, all our sins and griefs to bare! What a privilege to carry everything to God in Prayer. Amen Memorials tall obelisk over his grave, a plaque on the POrt Hope-Peterborough Highway, a monument on Downshire place and a stained glassed window in Banbridge church. Lucas media L.L.C, released a full length documentary Friends in Jesus, The Stories and Hymns of Cecil Francis Alexander and Joseph Scriven, in 2011. Lasts 45mins. - details his life and influence on popular hymns. Sources used BelfastTelegraph.co.uk Hymnary.org wikipedia

Edward Joshua Poole-Connor was an evangelical preacher and Christian leader. He served as secretary of the North African Mission (now known as Arab World Ministries) between his 2 pastorates at The Talbot Tabernacle, Notting Hill, London. He founded the Fellowship of Independent Evangelical Churches (FIEC), helped administer the The Lord’s Day Observance Society ( now called DayOne) and was a regular speaker at Sovereign Grace Advent Testimony conferences. He was also a founding member of the London Bible College. Edward was born in Hackney, London, on 27th July 1872. He was a delicate child. His strict parents were of Irish extraction and devout Christians. Sunday , the Lord’s day, was the happiest day of the week. He was converted early in life - some of his Sunday school pupils were older than the teacher! Aged 21 he was baptized by immersion and took charge of Aldershot Baptist church (1893-7). He then had a short pastorate in London followed by 10 happy years in Surbiton wher he made friends with Dr. Barnardo. He sat and passed the Ministerial Recognition Examination of the Baptist Union. He later left the Baptist Union because of the ‘Downgrade’ controversy. (See Spurgeon notes) He became assistant pastor to W.Fuller Gooch , at the unsectarian Lansdown Hall at West Norwood. In 1913 he was invited to Talbot Tabernacle as pastor. His two pastoral periods were divided by his service to the North Africa Mission which took him to the Barbary states in North Africa. In 1922 Edward took steps to form *Fellowship of Independent Churches (FIC) which is now called Fellowship of Independent Evangelic Churches (FIEC). Later he serves the fellowship as national Commissioner. After WW 11 he was Honorary Principal of All Nations Bible College for 3 years. Edward visited a number of European countries. Aged 80 he did a preaching and lecturing tour of the USA. On the death of Mr. W.E. Dalling he undertook the task of editing Bible League Quarterly. which is still being published. He also found time to publish 9 books. ( See ‘Writings’) For 40 years he was a welcome speaker on the *Sovereign Grace Advent Testimony platform. Edward’s ministry spanned the most turbulent period in British church life, from the time of Charles Spurgeon to the 1960s, and whose record and analysis of its events has been widely observed. Sources used wikipedia Writings of others The Tabernacle FIEC

Dr.Peter Masters has been the minister at of the Metropolitan Tabernacle in London since 1970. He founded the Evangelical Times in 1967. He directs the School of Theology, an annual Christmas conference for pastors and Christian workers. Peter has been at the Metropolitan Tabernacle now for 40 years. He continues to edit The Sword and Trowel started by the great Charles Spurgeon in 1865. Peter founded the London Reformed Baptist Seminary (LRBS) in 1976 and directs the further studies of both pastors and fledgling pastors in the Tabernacle’s seminary. The LRBS went on line in 2011. In October 2014 the 2 courses - the part time for those living in the UK and the online course for those overseas were merged, enabling those in the UK to follow the course online. Peter has published 28 books which have been translated into 28 languages. (See ‘Authorship’ fro list of 28 ) ( See ’ Selected works currently printed’ for titles of his books.) His sermons have been broadcast in the UK since 2003. On the Sky channel UCB initially but they they were transfered to Sky channel Revelation TV in 2013. These broadcasts are aired every Saturday at 8 pm and include a sermon from Peter and an accompanying apologetic or biographical feature. There are other channels too. The programmes are carried by a number of overseas radio stations including the USA and New Zealand Evangelical Times was founded in 1967 by Peter. It is a monthly, conservative evangelical newspaper. Peter was the original editor , Mike Judge, pastor of Chorlton Evangelical church is the current editor. I have included pictures and a brief history of the Metropolitan Tabernacle. The Tabernacle Fellowship goes back to the year 1650. The ‘Brief History’ finishes with these words. By 1970, our ranks had fallen to the point where we occupied only a few pews, but the Lord refreshed us and blessed our testimony giving rise to the full church and galleries of today. We give all the glory to Him for the large number of people who have come into the Tabernacle over the past forty years, for numerous professions of faith, and for the various ministries which have been established. The church have to thank the Lord and Dr. Peter Masters’ ministry for its revival. Sources Metropolitan Tabernacle Google search

Robert W. Schambach was an American televangelist, pastor, Word of Faith minister of the Word and author. His television Power Todaycan be seen on the Datstar Christian TV network as well as over the internet and streaming podcasts. Robert was born on 3rd of April 1926 in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. He became a born again Christian as a youth - he was standing on a street corner when the evangelist C.M. Ward gave an altar call. He felt a call to preach but decided to pursue other dreams first. He joined the U.S. Navy and served as a boiler maker on a destroyer in the Pacific and Asia during WW 11. having survived that he surrendered to God and was determined to preach the Gospel wherever God sent him. Robert enrolled in Bible school. While there he met Winnie - Mary Winifred Donald (born 3rd September 1926). C.M. Ward ordained Robert and he began to pastor a church. He went to the Central Bible Institute in Springfield, Missouri in the mid 1940s. C.M. Ward married Robert and Winnie on 4th September 1948 - one day after her 22 nd birthday… He began a 5 year ‘apprenticeship’ with the evangelist A.A. Allen. He travelled extensively with A.A. Allen on his ‘Miracle Crusades’ along with Don Stewart and Leroy Jenkins. He helped with the crusades, preaching at some services and doing the advance work. Finally he felt God calling him to begin his own ministry. He founded 4 ‘tent churches’ in large cities and began his popular radio program *The Voice of Power. Robert’s Schambach ministry to the hurting has been received in many nations of the world - Europe, Russia, India, Asia, Philippines, Africa, the West Indies and central and south America. Robert’s trade mark phrase 'You don’t have any trouble. All you need is faith in God ’ has stirred faith in multitudes. Winnie died, aged 83 on 20th April , 2010. They were married for 61 years. Robert died on 17th January. 2012 of a heart attack. Robert preached an uncompromising word of faith , followed by signs and wonders. Information and Sources Word of Faith Amazon Bible Teachings, Faith, Faith in God Wikipedia

James Gordon Lindsay was revivalist preacher, author and founder of Christ for the Nations Institute. Christ for the Nation Institute (CFNI) is the educational arm of the ministry Christ for the Nations Inc. founded by the Lindsays in July 1970. James was born on 18th June 1906 in Zion City Illinois. His parents were followers of John Alexander Dowie a famous healing evangelist.(See notes) They moved from Zion to a Christian community in California, then onto Portland Oregon. James was converted during a meeting led by Charles Fox Parham. Aged 18 he began his ministry as a travelling evangelist, conducting meetings in Assembly of God churches and other Pentecostal groups. He developed a friendship with John G. Lake who started the Divine Healing Mission in Spokane, Washington, Portland and Oregon. He travelled with Lake on healing campaigns in California and the southern states. He eventually became a pastor of a Foursquare Gospel church(es) in California but returned to Oregon where he married Freda Schimpf. When WW11 (1939) broke out he became pastor at Ashland, Oregon. By 1947 he had heard and met William M. Branham who was having a significant healing ministry. He resigned as pastor and became Branham’s campaign manager. To promote the campaign he began the revival magazine Voice for Healing (VofH) in April 1948. The magazine listed Branham as publisher, James as Editor. In July Branham announced he was stepping away from the revival circuit! This was a blow to James who had just begun revival publications to cover Branham’s meetings. Other evangelists -Jack Coe, Oral Roberts and A. A. Allen began to appear in the magazine as it circulated nationwide. VofH sponsored a convention of healing evangelists in Dallas, Texas and Kansas City in 1950 VofH named changed briefly to World-Wide Revival, finally in 1968 called Christ for all Nations. Gordon began to sponsor missions programs abroad. He started a radio program and with W.A. Raiford the Full Gospel pf Churches and Ministries International (FGFCMI) or The Fellowship (1948) ( See ‘The Fellowship’) During 1956 he conducted winning the nations crusade, sending teams of ministers all around the world. In 1962 Gordon held a convention in Dallas. In July 1970 Gordon and his wife, Freda, founded CFNI which is the educational arm of the ministry Christ for the Nations- it has 5 facets. it is an interdenominational charismatic college located in Dallas, Texas. (See CFNI) Gordon was a prolific writer. In 1950 he wrote William Branham: A man sent from God. He wrote articles for VofH magazine. He published over 250 volumes of historical and doctrinal books on the healing revival movement plus pamphlets. Gordon died suddenly on 1st April 1973, aged just 66. The wonderful ministry he started was carried on by his wife and family. ‘Mom’ Lindsay died on 26 th March, 2010 aged 95. Their son David is the current president of CFNI. Sources Wikipedia

Bro. Dr. Duraisamy Geoffery Damuel Dhinakaran was a world renowned Indian spiritual, evangelical leader. He was the founder of *Jesus Calls Ministries * and Karunya University. Duraisamy was born on the 1st July 1935 at Surandai in Tirunelveli district of Madras Prsidency (today Tamil Nadu). He attended St. John’s College, Paiayamkottai and earned a BSc degree in Mathematics from Madras University (1955). He was thinking of committing suicide as he walked towards the railway track. On the way he met his uncle who shared about Jesus Christ. His uncle told him to go home and commit his ways to the Lord. He went home, prayed and committed his life to the Saviour. He did this for 7 years pleading Lord! Hear my Prayer and grant me your power! I don’t want to live a dried Christian life anymore! He was involved in evangelical activities for some time prior to leaving his job at the bank. On 10th October 1962, during a time of family prayer, a divine presence filled the room. He saw the Lord Jesus face to face for 3 long hours.I am Jesus. I have come to bless you. My son, people might have heard of my love; but they have not tasted it. So, I pour My love and compassion in your heart, This love will console their broken hearts and heal their diseased bodies. You will be witness to the power of my Holy Spirit. The Lord filled him with the Holy Spirit. That day launched a one-man-ministry At the time he was working as a top executive in a bank but spent most of his spare time and holidays ministering in different places. He left the bank and his ministry became the foundation and the life of Jesus Calls Ministry. (JCM) Whenever he preached and prayed at public meetings people saw him interpreting tongues and heard him speak words of wisdom and knowledge. During prayer time he called out names of people in the crowd revealing their emotional and physical conditions through divine revelation and then healing them. ( Read A Supernatural Ministry) 12th October 1970 was the first time, at an organized meeting, that he shared the Word of God with the 1000s who attended. He began to use the media. In 1972 he broadcast his message on the radio. In the mid 1990s JCM began to use television Over the next 14 years many things happened. ( Read Milestones in the Ministry). May 21st 1986 he lost his daughter Angel in a car accident. Later in the year, shattered and broken, he went on to opening the Karunya Institute of Technology on 4th November. His peers called him the Apostle of the age in India Bro. Dhinakaran died in hospital on 20th February 2008. 1000s came to glance at the man who interceded for them. He left his wife, Stella and son, Paul, who took over the ministry. Sources Jesus Calls Karunya

Ezana was the ruler of the kingdom of Aksum. an ancient kingdom centred in what is now Ertres and the Tigray Region of northern Ethiopia. Ezana was the first monarch of the kingdom of Aksum to embrace Christianity. Ezana is regarded as saint by the Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church with a feast day of 1st October. Sources Helbrunn Timeline of Art History Wikipedia

Sadhu Sundar Singh (1889-1929) was an Indian Christian missionary. He is believed to have died in the foothills of the Himalayas. Sadhu was born into a Sikh family in the village of Rampur district, Ludhiana in northern India. He attended the Ewing Christian High school in Ludhiana to learn English. His mother died when he was 14. In his anger burnt page by page the Bible while his friends watched. He felt suicidal. He decided to a go to a railroad track but that very night he had a vision of Jesus. This changed every thing. He told his father Sher Singh that he would convert to Christianity and become a missionary. His father rejected him and his brother tried several times to poison him. Snakes were thrown into his house. He was rescued from this cruel treatment by nearby British Christians. He spent sometime working in the Christian Missionary Home with leprosy patients at Sabathu. On 16th birthday he was publicly baptised in the parish church of Simla. In 1906 Sundar set off on his life as a new Christian. He wore a saffron turban and robe as a Christian sadhu, a holy man. He knew Indians would not be converted unless in an Indian way. When he returned home he received an unexpected warm welcome. He then travelled through the Punjab, over the Bannihal Pass into Kashmir, through Muslim Afghanistan and into the brigand infested North West Frontier and Baluchistan. He was called ‘the apostle with bleeding feet’. He suffered arrest and stoning for his beliefs, and experienced mystical encounters. In 1908 he went into Tibet - appalled by conditions. Tried to visits Palestine but refused permit. December 1909 began training for ministry in Anglican college in Lahore. He left after only 8 months - ostracised for being different - the course was irrelevant to the Gospel message India needed - expected to wear ‘respectable’ European clerical clothing- rejected the mixing of Jesus and British culture. On his travels in 1912 he met Maharishi of Kailas and spent some weeks in deep fellowship. During his 20s Sundar’s Gospel work widened greatly, Before he was 30 his name and picture were familiar all over the Christian world. He was described as always human, approachable and humble. His talks and personal speech were informed by his habitual early morning meditation. In 1918 he toured South India and Ceylon. In 1919 he visited Burma, China and Japan. In 1920 his father gave him the fare so he visited Britain, USA and Australia 1922 visited Europe again. He was appalled at the materialism, emptiness and irreligion in the West after WW1 Back in India he continued to spread the Gospel but he was getting physically frail. In 1923 visited Tibet but came back exhausted. He gave himself to meditation, fellowship and writing. In 1929 set out for Tibet again! He reached Kalka. What happened next is a mystery. Sundar is revered by many as a formative, towering figure in the missionary conversions of the Christian church in India.

Jane Mathison Haining (1897-1944) was a Scottish missionary for the church of Scotland in Budapest, Hungary. On 17th July 1944 she died in the infamous German concentration camp of Auschwitz. Jane, born on 6th June 1897, at Lochenhead farm, Duncore, Dumfrieshire, Scotland was the fifth child of Thomas and Jane Mathison. Her mother died giving birth to their sixth child in 1902, Jane was about 5. She grew up as a member of the Craig Church in Dunscore, part of the United Free church of Scotland. In 1909 she won a scholarship to Dunfries Academy where she boarded in the Moat Hostel for Girls. She graduated as the school’s dux (top pupil). After graduating she trained at the Athenaeum Commercial College in Glasgow. From 1917-27 she worked in Paisley for J.and P. Coats Ltd, a thread manufacturer, first as a clerk then as a secretary. She attended Queen’s Park West United Free church and taught Sunday School. This is when she thought about becoming a missionary. In 1927 she attended a meeting in Glasgow of the Jewish Mission Committee where the Rev. Dr. George Mackenzie discussed his missionary work. I have found my lifework! she reportedly said to a friend. Jane continued to work at Coats for nearly a year and a half - her manager at work was ill (5 months) and it took a year to train her replacement. She then did a 1 year diploma course at Glasgow College for Domestic Science in domestic science and housekeeping. After this she worked temporarily in Glasgow and then in Manchester as a matron. In 1932 she saw an ad in Life and Work for a matron in a Jewish girls’ mission school in Budapest, Hungary. ( See ‘Secretarial work, retraining’) She went for further training at St. Colm’s Women Missionary College in Edinburgh. her dedication service happened on 19th June 1932. The next day she left for Budapest. Jane liked Hungary and Budapest and soon became fluent in the language. She dedicated herself to helping helping her pupils Adolf Hitler became Chancellor of Germany on 30th January 1933. She was well liked by both her pupils and colleagues who regarded her as the best matron they had ever known. WW11 broke out on 3rd September 1939. Jane was on holiday in Cornwall with Margit Prem, the head of the school in Budapest. They immediately returned to Budapest. In 1940 she was advised to return home. She stayed saying Hungary was neutral. In 1941 Jewish refugees, from all over German occupied Europe, fled to Hungary to escape the Holocaust. On 19th March 1944 the German Wehrmacht invaded Hungary. Late April, early May, 1944 the Gestapo arrived. ( See ‘Arrest’ for charges) 15th May deported to Auschwitz - given no. 79467. Selected for work rather than gas chamber. 17th July died in hospital of cachexia and intestinal catarrh. In 1997 Jane was recognised by Yad Vashem in Israel as Righteous Among the Nations.

Jeremiah Calvin Lanphier (1809-1898) was an American lay missionary in New York City. He is popularly regarded as having been instrumental in instigating the American religious revival of 1857-8. Jeremiah was born in Coxsackie, New York. His parents had emigrated from Holland. Aged 16 he was an apprenticed tailor in Albany. He later studied music under George Andrews. Together they became partners as cloth merchants in Lower Manhattan. Unfortunately they went bankrupt in 1842. While working as a cloth merchant he joined the choir at Broadway Tabernacle and became an evangelical Christian. He joined two other choirs, one being Pearl Street Church and took an active interest in the work of the church. When Pearl Street Church closed in 1853 he joined Duane Street Presbyterian Church, pastored by James Waddel Alexander. A member of the diocese of the nearby North Dutch Church offered him the position of lay missionary. He closed his business and began to work for the church on 1st July 1857. Although he was theologically trained he was a remarkable candidate for such a ministry. ( See characterization in ‘Entering the ministry’) As a lay missionary he distributed tracts, visited local businesses, invited children to Sunday school and invited guests staying in hotels to attend church. He felt time spent in prayer brought him the most peace and resolve. He decided to start a weekly noon prayer meeting for businesses when they closed for lunch. He handed out handbills to draw attention to the meetings. On Wednesday, 23rd September 1857 he set up a signboard in front of the church. No one came to the appointed room. He prayed for 30 minutes alone. At 12.30 another man joined him. 4 more joined before 1 o’clock. Week 2 - 20 men Week 3 - 40 men By October they met daily. By January 1858 they needed a second room By February they needed a third room with 20 noon meetings elsewhere. Mid March, Burton’s Theatre - capacity 3000 -was crowded End of March -New York church and public hall filled 10,000 met daily for prayer EXPEDIENTIALLY it EXPLODED. It was Pentecost all over again. The Holy Spirit was at work among the men of New York. The media were quick to spread the Good News. J. Edwin Orr, a student of the revival, estimated 1,000,000 were converted between 1858-9. Jeremiah’s prayers was answered. It was estimated that he preside over 11,000 prayer meetings at which 500,000 attended over 36 years. 56,000 prayers offered and 225,000 written prayers were submitted. Throughout the revival and for years afterwards he continued to hold his daily prayer meeting in Lower Manhattan. * The New York Times on his retirement, due to age and declining vision, in 1893, wrote success did not elate him, nor was he discouraged by indifference. Jeremiah died on 26th December 1898, aged 89.

Saint Blaise was a physician and bishop of Sebaste in Asia Minor. it is believed he was martyred in 316 AD. People came ‘flocking’ to him because he was able to cure them of bodily and spiritual ills. Apparently he could also heal animals. l The Roman Emperor Licinius believed that arresting and punishing important leaders like Saint Blaise would prevent other people from becoming Christians. One of the stories told about him was that on his way to prison he cured a boy who had a bone stuck in his throat. The legend reads- As he was being led to jail, a mother set her son, choking to death of a fish-bone, at his feet, and the child was cured straight away. Regardless, the governor, unable to make Blaise renounce his faith, beat him with a stick, ripped his flesh with iron combs and beheaded him Up until 1825 a Bishop Blaize festival and procession were held at Bradford. A child would recite these words- Hail to the day when kind auspicious rays Deigned first to smile on famous Bishop Blaize. He is the patron saint of people with diseases of the throat. On February 3rd many parishes bless the throats of their parishioners in a special ceremony. Two unlit candles are held next to each person’s throat as the priest or deacon says - Through the intercession of Saint Blaise, bishop and martyr, may God deliver you from every disease of the throat and from every other illness: in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. His name is found on inn signs in towns which became centres of the wool trade such as Cirencester and Exeter. It is believed he was tortured by having his body torn apart with the iron combs then used by woolcombers, then beheaded. Saint Blaise is one of the 14 Holy helpers and became one of the most popular saints of the Middle Ages.

Candlemas(s) is a Christian festival also known as Feast of the Presentation of Jesus Christ, Feast of the Purification of the Blessed Virgin Mary and Feast of the Holy Encounter.*** Candalmas(s) commemorates the presentation of Jesus, as a baby, at the Temple in Jerusalem - Luke ch.22 verses 22-40 ( see notes). This would have happened after the traditional 40 day period of purification of the mother. In the Biblical story Simeon picks up the baby in his arms. When he said theNunc Dimittis he included the phrase a light for revelation to the Gentiles .* It is for this reason that this event is called Candlemas. Many Christians consider Jesus as ‘the light of the world’ so it is fitting that candles are blessed on this day. A candle-lit procession precedes the mass. Many Orthodox Christians celebrate the event by bringing beeswax candles to their local church so they can be blessed to be used in the church or home. Crepes are eaten at Candlemas in such places as France. The idea of Candlemas is believed to have started in the 4th century, with the lighting of candles coming in the 5th century. In the USA and Canada it is also *Groundhog Day. *

Kensington Temple is a Pentecostal Church in the Notting Hill area of London, England. Its former ministers include George Jeffries, Eldin Corsie, Wynne Lewis and Colin Dyer. The present church building was founded as Horbury Chapel in 1849 and used by the Hornton Street Congregational church in 1849. George Jeffireys, who birthed the Elim Pentecostal denomination, purchased the building in 1930. This became the Bible Pattern Church Fellowship, Elim’s flagship church, becoming Kensington Temple Church of the Foursquare Gospel in 1935. George chose the name of the church. The building reverted to the Elim Church in the early 1960s. The church as it is known today was founded in 1965 by the Elim minister Rev. Eldin Corsie. The congregation grew under Corsie to 600. Under the next minister, Rev. Wynne Lewis the congregation became several .(He later became Elim’s Church General Superintendent . Since the 1980’s Kensington Temple, nicknamed by its members as ’ KT’ has planted 150 churches across London. Colin Dye became Senior Minister at KT in 1991. Soon after he experienced a new and powerful anointing on his life as the Lord released revelation gifts of prophecy, words of knowledge and healing. in various missions across the world he began to see signs and miracles accompany his ministry and rejoiced to see dramatic church growth, He founded the International Bible Institute of London which is one of the nation’s premier centres of training for the ministry. He is being used by God to build on the successes of the past to take the church forward into the 21st century Source used Wikipedia

David Ray Wilkinson (1931-2011) was an American Christian evangelist and author best known for his book The Cross and the Switchblade (1962). David was born on 19th May 1931 in Indiana. he is was born into a family of preachers. In his testimony he says he was baptized with the Holy Spirit aged 8. He began to preach when he was 14. After high school he entered Central Bible College, Springfield in Missouri which was affiliated to the Assemblies of God. In 1952 he was ordained a minister. In 1953 he married Gwendolyn Rose ‘Gwen’ Carosso. He served as pastor in small churches in Scottdale and Philipsburg in Pennsylvania. Early in 1958 he saw photographs in Life Magazine of 7 teenagers who were members of a gang called ‘Egyptian Dragons’ in New York. He went to the court to speak to them but the judge ejected him. Someone took a photo of him leaving and he became known as the Bible preacher who had interrupted the gang trial. Soon after he began a street ministry to young drug addicts. In 1958 he founded Teen Challenge from a small office in Staten Island, New York (NY). (Read ‘Our story-Teen Challenge’) The Cross and the Switchblade book and film tells how he moved to N Y and changed the lives of the ‘Mau Maus’ teenager gang leader Nicky Cruz and his friend israel Narvaez, after they had heard him preach. The book was a best seller - 50 million copies were sold. The 1970 film stared Pat Boone. ( Read the challenging book- I did- see Amazon advert) In 1967 he founded Youth Crusades an evangelistic ministry aimed at teenagers who were restless and bored. His goal was to prevent them becoming heavily involved with drugs, alcohol or violence, On 22nd September he founded World Challenge - which sort to promote and spread the Gospel throughout the world. He claimed in 1986 the Holy Spirit, while in NY called him to raise a ministry in Times Square. He founded and became pastor of the non-denominational Times Square Church. In 1989 the Hellinger was leased to the Times Square Church for $1 million per year, on a 5 year lease. (Read about ‘Mark Hellinger Theatre’) On the 27th April, 2011 David, aged 79, died in Texas when his car crossed into the westbound lane and collided head-on with a tractor -trailer. His wife was also serious injured. At his funeral speakers, including leadership of the church Wilkerson had founded and his relatives, honoured the evangelical pastor for a life ‘well- lived’ through personal testimonies and songs rejoicing that he in now in heaven, It was all about Jesus Christ, Carter Conion, senior pastor of Times Square Church, said of Wilkerson’s life HIs wife, Gewndolyn, died a year later on 5th July 2012 from cancer, aged 81. Source used Wikipedia

Evan John Roberts was mightily used by the Holy Spirit between 1904/5. He was an evangelist and leading figure of the 1904/5 Welsh Revival. Evan was born in Loughor, Wales on 8th June 1878. He was raised in a Calvinistic Methodist home. He attended church regularly and memorized scripture at night. His father had a serious accident down the coal mine when his son was nearly 12. When his father was fit to work 3 months later Evan left school and began to work in the coal mines as a doorboy. He took his Bible underground and read it at every opportunity. He worked in the coal mines until 1902. Aged 21 he became an apprentice to his uncle - a blacksmith in Pontarddulais. For 15 months he worked at the forge but his desire was to preach. Meanwhile Rev. Seth Joshua, from the beginning of the 20th century, had been praying for God to send an ordinary young man, who had worked in the mines, to lead a Revival in Wales. In 1904 Rev. Joseph Jenkins prayed earnestly for change in the church. In February young Florrie Evans rose to her feet*I love Jesus Christ with all of my heart * Immediately the whole meeting seemed to catch fire. Young people found it easy to pray and talk about their experiences. (Read ‘The origins of the Revival’) 13th September Evan and his friend Sidney Evans went to Newcastle Emlyn to attend Trefecca College to train for the ministry. On September 29th he attended a conference at Blaenannerch where the Rev. Seth Joshua prayed that God would ‘bend’ the people in the congregation. Evan prayed God would ‘bend’ him. He was made utterly obedient and utterly willing. (Read ‘Evan at Blaenannerch’) The Holy Spirit urged him to return home to Loughor. Having sought permission to go home from Rev. Evan Phillips, the minister of Newcastle, he followed his advice and caught the train. What followed was an incredible outpouring of the Holy Spirit. From 31st October, in Moriah, he made pleas for people to rise and confess - each day the power of the Holy Spirit felt more powerful. On 6th November Evan asked those attending a pray meeting in the vestry to pray the same pray. O send the Holy spirit now for Jesus Christ’s sake. **He descend with great fire upon the people present and they prayed until a late hour. Read the rest of the 1904 sheets covering the Revival Meetings, The Effect of the Revival in Wales, The Out Pouring of the Holy Spirit in Wales. WONDERFUL. This continued for 2 years. 100,000 Christians influenced the spiritual life of Wales and the world. Evan in 1906, exhausted, mentally and physically, stayed in the home of William and Jessie Penn- Lewis. He recovered in 1907 to became a prayer intercessor- praying up to 18 hours a day. He occasionally spoke or counseled. In 1930 he returned to Cardiff, Wales. He died, aged 72, on 29th January 1951

Susanna Wesley (1669-1742) was the mother of John and Charles Wesley. She is known as the Mother of Methodism because conscious or unconsciously would have applied the example and teachings and circumstances of their home life. Susanna was the 25th of 25 children to be born into the Annesley Family. Her father Dr. Samuel Annesly was a Dissenter from the established church of England . Aged 12 she stopped attending her father’s church and joined the Church of England. She married Samuel Wesley on 12th November 1688 when she was 20, he was 27. They had 19 children. 9 died as infants - 4 were twins and one was accidentally smothered by a maid. When she died, aged 73, only 8 were still alive. Her husband was a very authoritarian rector and unpopular with the people at Epworth - they tried twice to burn the rectory down. He was rescued from debtors prison by the personal intervention of Archbishop Sharpe of York. He left her for a year because of a minor dispute. Susanna took responsibility for her children. She imposed s strict daily routine. From birth they were put into a regular METHOD of living. At a year old they were taught to fear the rod and to cry softly. They had 3 meals a day. At 6 in the evening, after family prayers, they had supper, washed and put to bed. Aged 5 formal education began - they attended lessons for 6 hours a day. On day one they were expected to learn the alphabet - 2 daughters took a day and 1/2 She had the happy talent of imbuing a child’s mind with every kind of useful knowledge in such a way as to stamp it indelibly on the memory- grandson Charles. After the second fire she was forced to place the children in different houses for nearly 2 years. She was responsible for their education and mortified that her children began to use improper speech and play more than study. She found time to spend time with each child during the week. When her husband went to London to defend a friend, on charges of heresy, he appointed a curate. His sermon in the morning service revolved solely about repaying debts so she set up her own Sunday afternoon activities. The children read psalms, she read her husband’s sermons. The locals asked if they could join- The curate was unhappy and complained to Samuel. Susanna’s response was if he forbade her doing good, he would have to stand with her on judgement day and explain why he had issued this command. Samuel bowed to her challenge and the meetings resumed. Samuel’s work on the Book of Job , his life’s work, had little impact on his family other than hardship. Susanna practised daily devotions. throughout her life. She wrote letters,meditations and scriptural commentaries. many were lost in the rectory fire but many survived. *Susanna Wesley, The complete writings has been made accessible by Charles Wallace. Susanna Wesley, the Mother of Methodism, died on 23rd July 1742 aged 73, and was buried at Bunhill Fields in London.

John Williams (1796-1839) was an English missionary active in the South Pacific. He trained as a foundryworker and mechanic. John was born in Tottenham, London. September 1816 the London Missionary Society (LMS) commissioned him as a missionary in a service held at Surrey Chapel London. In 1817 John voyaged with his wife, Mary Chawner Williams, and with William Ellis and his wife, to the Society Islands, a group of islands which included Tahiti. They established their first missionary post on the island of Raiatea. From there they visited other island sometimes with the Ellis’s and other LMS representatives. The Williams family had 10 children but only 3 survived to adulthood. They were the first missionary family to visit Samoa. In 1827 he built, over 15 weeks, a boatMessenger of Peace from local materials to take them to other heathen islands in the vicinity. He left in November and returned in February. He then moved the family to Raiatea. When they went to Samoa in 1830 he had a Samoan couple, Fauea and hs wife Puaseisei, among his crew and they proved pivotal in the mission in Samoa. They set foot on the island of Savaii at Puaseisei’s village. They met Malietoa Vaiinuupo who had sole power over Samos following the death of his rival Tamafaiga. Malietoa accepted Christianity immediately. They returned in 1834 to Britain where John supervised the printing of his translation of the New Testament into the Rarotongan language. He also published Narrative of Missionary Enterprises in the South Sea Islands In 1839 John Williams and James Harris visited part of the New Hebrides where they were unknown. They were killed and eaten by cannibals on the island of Erromango. John’s bones were shipped and buried In Apia, Samoa. A monument was erected and the 6 storey building hosing the headquarters of the Congregational church of Samoa was named after John Williams. 7 LMS ships in the Pacific named after him In December 2009 descendants of the Williams returned to Erromango to accept apologies from the descendants of the cannibals in a ceremony of reconciliation. Dillions Bay was renamed Wiliams Bay. I have included maps of the Society Islands in the Pacific Ocean.

Andrew van der Bijl or Brother Andrew is a Christian missionary from Sint Paneras, the Netherlands. He founded Open Doors in 1955 which is noted for smuggling Bibles into Communist countries. He earned the name God’s Smuggler -the title of his 1967 book. he is known for having prayed Lord, make seeing eyes blind when stopped at the border of a communist country for his car to be inspected. Andrew was born on the11th May 1928 in Sint Paneras. He was the fourth of 6 children. His father was a poor, near deaf blacksmith and his mother was an invalid. In the 1940s he enlisted in the colonial army of the Dutch East Indies during the rebellion that would eventually form Indonesia. He was wounded in the ankle and during rehabilitation read the Bible obsessively, eventually converting to Christianity. He studied at the WEC Missionary training College in Glasgow. July 1955 visited Communist Poland to find out about the underground church. To do this he had to go on a government controlled tour. He felt he had to respond to the Biblical Commission *Wake up, strengthen what remains and is about to die ( Revelation ch3 v2) In 1957 he travelled to Moscow. He started to smuggle Bibles into Communist countries in a blue Volkswagen Beetle. He prayed and left them deliberately in full view. This was a fulfillment of child’s dream of *derring-do . The work of Open Doors continued to expand as it extended its network throughout Eastern Europe and Soviet Union. (Read ‘Brother Andrew’s Story’ crossing into Romania.) In the 1960s he visited China, Czechoslovakia and Cuba. In 1967 published first edition of God’s Smugglers. By 2002 over 10 million were sold, ( See Bridge Books for special 60th anniversary edition of first trip.) 1970s visited war torn Lebanon. In 1990s travelled several times to the Middle East - Lebanon and Israel Brother Andrew has written 10 books. He is now in his 90s. Is he still smuggling?

Mary Moffat Livingstone was the wife of David Livingstone the missionary and explorer. In the history books she has been forgotten They said he had three wives - the river Nile,the struggle against slavery and religion. In the article in the Daily Mail Mrs Livingstone i Presume written by Jane Fryer she looks at the life of his real wife. She was strong, educated, fearless and spoke 6 African languages. She was the daughter of missionaries and was renowned in South Africa. . It was Mary who opened doors in remote parts of Africa for her singularly driven husband with her languages and connections. Tribal leaders would insist on addressing her first. Together they crossed the Kalshari desert surviving on biscuit and beans. They survived an entire week without water. She endured appalling hardship, long separations, a sporadic paralysis caused by a post natal stroke after her fourth child Elizabeth was born in the bush and the final battle aged 41 with malaria. Mary and David met when he was recovering from being bitten by a lion. Within weeks his life long vow to marry ‘went up in smoke’. They married in 1845. In 7 years they built their own house, created 3 mission stations from scratch and weathered 2 years of drought. In 1849, with 3 children and Mary pregnant they started a 1,500 mile trek across the Kalahari desert. Read the full article by Jane Fryer. Visit in July (2021) the revamped (9.1 million) David Livingstone museum In Lanarkshire where finally Mary’s contribution will finally be given due credit They obviously loved each other. He just loved exploration and adventure a bit more. Sources Daily Mail Wikipedia

Ezekiel Handinawangu Guti was born on the 5th of May 1923 in Ngaone, Chipinge, Manicaland Province, Rhodesia. He is a gifted evangelist and has distinguished himself as a leading personality in the Pentecostal World. His academic credentials include a BA, Ma, DD, D.MIn and Ph.D in Religion. Plus BA in Christian education and a Doctorate from Northgate Graduate school and Zoe College. His ministry began on the 12th may 1960 under a gum tree in Bindura, Zimbabwe. He founded the Zimbabwe Assemblies of God Africa (ZAOGA) Christian church in 1959 when the Apostolic Faith Mission broke away from the South African Pentecostal church. The church is now established in over 143 nations, with over 2,000 in Southern Africa. ZAOGA is also known internationally as Forward in Faith Ministeries International. Its headquarters is to be found in Waterfalls, Harara Zimbabwe Ezekiel initiated the building of Zimbabwe Ezekiel college and the Mbuya Dorcas Hospital. He oversees 5,000 pastors and evangelists world wide.